Migrant gang member gets 8 years

VICTORVILLE • One of the 14 Hispanic gang members accused of trying to take control over the High Desert's illicit drug market was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Authorities believe Angel Ricardo Aranda, 40, was an enforcer of the group that was sent from the greater Los Angeles area to distribute drugs and collect taxes in the High Desert for the Mexican Mafia, according to court documents.

He accepted the prosecution's offer and pleaded no contest in November to being a felon possessing a firearm. He also admitted to having a prior strike and prison term, having been convicted of manslaughter in 1996.

Aranda's sentencing was delayed for months because he had been asking to get an eye treatment, Deputy District Attorney Shannon Faherty said. But Judge Steve Malone denied to continue the matter any longer and sentenced him according to the plea agreement Friday.

Anthony Moreno, his 52-year-old co-defendant, died while he was out of custody and waiting to get sentenced, Faherty said. Moreno didn't show up for his sentencing in May and investigators found him dead in Utah, according to the prosecutor. Faherty said the cause of Moreno's death is unknown until an autopsy is conducted.

Authorities are still looking for defendant Susan Christine Galindo, 47, who is on the run. Joel Orlando Pompa, 34, is awaiting trial and scheduled to appear in Victorville court Aug. 17.

The 10 other defendants have already been sentenced. They were arrested in March in various locations in Hesperia, Victorville and the Los Angeles area.

Aranda was initially charged with possession of drugs for sale, conspiracy to commit extortion and home invasion robbery for the benefit of a gang, kidnapping for ransom, home invasion robbery, extortion, false imprisonment by violence and street terrorism.

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